Best KFC Vegan Fried Chicken Recipe [Copycat] - Veganiac (2024)

by Emily

Best KFC Vegan Fried Chicken Recipe [Copycat] - Veganiac (1)

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This Vegan Fried “Chicken” in the Taste of KFC is not only tender but also juicy and tasty. This approach also gives you a tear-able feel like genuine chicken but is completely plant-based!

Start making the crispiest, most flavorful vegan fried chicken you’ve ever tasted. Anyone who attempts this KFC Vegan Chicken dish will be blown away.

Fried chicken tenders have always been one of my favorite dishes. Whether it was homemade, KFC, Popeye’s, or anything else. I’m not exaggerating when I say this tofu fried chicken is EXACTLY like the genuine thing. Crispy and flaky on the exterior, soft and juicy on the inside—absolutely divine.

In this Article

How to make KFC Vegan Fried Chicken

I did a lot of reading on KFC’s famed seasoning blend when developing this dish. While their approach is supposedly “top secret,” I was able to locate several fundamental ingredients that I could change to build my unique version. The seasoning mix has a number of ingredients, but the odds are you already have the majority of them on hand. What you’ll need is as follows:

Best KFC Vegan Fried Chicken Recipe [Copycat] - Veganiac (2)

  • Black Pepper
  • Celery Salt
  • Garlic Salt
  • Ginger
  • Italian Seasoning
  • Mustard Powder
  • Paprika
  • White Pepper

In addition to this spice combination, you’ll need medium-firm tofu, AP flour, unsweetened plant-based milk, apple cider vinegar, and cornflakes for this dish. We choose medium-firm tofu since it has the ideal texture when prepared correctly.

Best KFC Vegan Fried Chicken Recipe [Copycat] - Veganiac (3)

Making the tofu is time-intensive but worthwhile with a little patience. I promise you will enjoy this plant-based fried chicken. We will freeze the tofu box and then thaw it again. Once it has defrosted twice, we will open the box, dump the liquid, and compress the tofu until it becomes as dry as possible. The whole process may be seen on the recipe card below.

KFC Vegan Fried Chicken Recipe

List of Ingredients

  • 1/2 tsp white pepper
  • 1 tsp celery salt
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tbsp paprika
  • 1/2 tbsp mustard powder
  • 1/2 tbsp garlic salt
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 no-chicken bouillon cubes (or 2 cups of vegetable broth)
  • 1 cup cornflakes
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened plant milk
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 package of medium-firm tofu (16 oz)
  • 2 quarts of vegetable oil for frying

Directions

  1. Place the entire box of medium-firm tofu in the freezer. Once frozen, retrieve it from the freezer and set it aside to thaw. • Repeat this process twice more.
  2. When the tofu has been fully thawed twice, open the box and drain away the liquid completely. Compress the tofu between two cutting boards to expel as much moisture as possible. After draining, use a paper towel to soak up any remaining liquid.
  3. Tofu should be cut into medium-sized pieces. For example, a block of tofu should give 8-10 pieces plus a few smaller bits. The tofu should also naturally split apart.
  4. Arrange the tofu in a baking dish and cover it with 2 cups of vegan chicken stock. If using no-chicken bouillon cubes, combine them with 2 cups of boiling water before dumping them over the tofu. Once the tofu is completely soaked in the broth, leave it alone to marinate while preparing the breading area.
  5. Combine unsweetened plant milk and apple cider vinegar in a medium mixing basin. Set aside after combining all of the ingredients. This results in vegan buttermilk.
  6. In a different mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and all the spices indicated in the list of ingredients.
  7. We’re now going to set up our breading setup. First, we’ll put the marinated tofu, buttermilk, and seasoned flour mixture in a line. Next, take another big platter and set it aside to putthe tofu once ithas been breaded.
  8. Take a slice of marinated tofu at a time and carefully press any excess liquid from it. Dip it in the buttermilk, then in the seasoned flour, covering it all over. Place on a platter and proceed with the remaining tofu pieces. Arrange the breaded tofu on a platter that has been set aside.
  9. After the initial round of breading, scatter one cup of crushed cornflakes into the seasoned flour mixture using your hands. Mix until the cornflakes and flour are uniformly distributed.
  10. Repeat the coating procedure by dipping each piece of tofu in the buttermilk and dredging in the flour and cornflake mixture. Do this until all pieces of the tofu are coated.
  11. In a big and deep pan, heat the frying oil to 350-375 degrees F. Set aside a tray lined with paper towels.
  12. Deep fry the tofu pieces in the heated oil until golden brown on all surfaces. It should take 4-7 minutes, turning as required. Place the completed pieces on thedish lined with paper towels to cool.

Serve with ranch (vegan) or your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!

Video Recipe for Vegan Fried Chicken

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Tips

  • After frying the pieces, they may be frozen and heated up in a toaster oven or air fryer.
  • Baking instructions: Set theoven to 425°F, carefully spray the exterior of each breaded piece of tofu with oil, lay on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake for 20-30 minutes, turning midway through.
  • Air fry instructions: gently cover the outside of every breaded chunk of tofu with oil and air-fry for 8-10 minutes at 400 degrees F.

Final Thoughts

Let me know how this vegan fried chicken recipe turned out for you in the comment section. If you liked this copycat recipe, check out this one also Vegan McChicken

4.3/5 (7 Reviews)

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Best KFC Vegan Fried Chicken Recipe [Copycat] - Veganiac (2024)

FAQs

Best KFC Vegan Fried Chicken Recipe [Copycat] - Veganiac? ›

The company decided to replace chicken with a plant-based meat-like product. One version is pea-protein mixed with soy, rice flour, carrot fiber, yeast extract, vegetable oil, salt, onion and garlic powder. Nuggets and boneless wings are offered.

How is KFC plant-based chicken made? ›

The company decided to replace chicken with a plant-based meat-like product. One version is pea-protein mixed with soy, rice flour, carrot fiber, yeast extract, vegetable oil, salt, onion and garlic powder. Nuggets and boneless wings are offered.

What is the vegan alternative at KFC? ›

Our Quorn™ fillet is made from Mycoprotein, which is coated in KFC's 11 Herbs and Spices and fried in vegetable oil before it comes to our restaurants. It's then finished off in our restaurant ovens. It's never cooked in the same oil as our chicken.

Does KFC cook the vegan chicken? ›

No. While KFC's Beyond Fried Chicken is plant-based, it's not prepared in a vegan or vegetarian way, Yum Brands said in a press release. Although KFC doesn't specify, it could mean the nuggets may be cooked in oil that isn't vegan. It could also mean it's cooked in the same fryers used to make meat-based fried chicken.

What is KFC chicken coating made of? ›

What is the KFC secret recipe? According to the Chicago Tribune, the original recipe consists of 11 herbs and spices, including: salt, thyme, basil, oregano, celery salt, black pepper, dried mustard, paprika, garlic salt, ground ginger, and white pepper.

Who makes KFC plant-based chicken? ›

The plant-based Beyond Fried Chicken was developed by Beyond Meat exclusively for KFC. It's packed with delicious flavor and the juicy satisfaction that you'd expect from KFC's iconic fried chicken but in a plant-based option that's still finger lickin' good.

What does KFC vegan chicken taste like? ›

Zack and I came to the same consensus: The plant-based nuggets taste scarily similar to your average fast food chicken nuggets. In fact, the flavor of the Beyond Chicken nugget is almost identical to a real chicken nugget, as was the signature KFC breading. However, the texture is similar — but slightly off.

Is vegan KFC actually vegan? ›

The Beyond Meat chicken itself is 100 percent plant-based. In addition to Beyond Fried Chicken, KFC has a handful of other vegan—and finger lickin' good—menu offerings, including BBQ baked beans (contain “natural flavoring” that's undefined by KFC) green beans, secret recipe fries, and sweet kernel corn.

Is KFC plant-based vegan? ›

In news that may come as a disappointment to vegans in the US, the plant-based KFC menu is currently pretty limited. KFC did launch Beyond Meat vegan fried chicken in 2019, but this option has since been discontinued. In terms of sides, the sweet kernel corn and secret recipe fries are vegan-friendly.

Is KFC veggie chicken vegan? ›

A vegan lifestyle is based on a plant-based diet and excludes all animal foods, including dairy products, eggs, honey and products made from them such as cheese. Is KFC Veggie vegetarian? Our veggie KFC recipe is meat-free. However, it may still come into contact with our poultry meat despite great care.

Does KFC use vegan mayo? ›

Quorn fillet coated in our famous 11 herbs & spices in a sesame bun with lettuce & vegan mayo.

Is KFC plant-based fried in same oil as chicken? ›

It is NOT vegetarian, vegan, or Certified Vegan. It is 100% plant-based, but fried in the same fryers as our chicken, which may not be acceptable to certain types of vegetarian or vegan diets.

Why did KFC stop selling vegan nuggets? ›

Well, the issue lies not in the nuggets' ingredients, but in how the nuggets are prepared. In its press release, KFC notes that the plant-based nuggets may be fried in the same fryers as meat-based products.

Who knows the KFC secret recipe? ›

KFC employs two different firms, Griffith Laboratories and McCormick & Company, to formulate the blend; in order to maintain secrecy, each firm is given a different half of the recipe. Once the Griffith portion has been formulated, it is sent to McCormick and combined with the remaining ingredients there.

Is it better to use buttermilk or eggs for fried chicken? ›

Buttermilk Is More Than A Better Coating

This acidic nature also helps lightly tenderize the meat, creating an even juicier, more succulent texture. Even a few minutes of soaking in buttermilk (or resting after breading) can make a big difference.

What is the white stuff on KFC chicken? ›

The white stuff coming out of chicken as it cooks is simply extra protein that dissolves in water and is forced out of the meat by heat. Food scientist Topher McNeil, PhD, explains, “The [chicken] muscles themselves actually contract and squeeze out the liquid that's in between muscle cells.”

Is KFC launch plant-based fried chicken made with beyond meat nationwide? ›

Now, just two days later, another big chain has another big vegetarian announcement: On January 10, KFC will be bringing their Beyond Fried Chicken nationwide for the first time. KFC's Beyond Fried Chicken — a collaboration with the plant-based giant Beyond Meat — already has well over two years of history behind it.

What is KFC plant-based burger made of? ›

The plant-based burger uses Quorn (made from Mycoprotein) as its meat replacement. The meat alternative comes coated in KFC's famous secret blend of 11 herbs and spices.

Is plant-based KFC good? ›

Not bad, just different—very well-seasoned and consistently crisp coating that sticks well to the meat portion. The meal was pretty satisfying for fast food. The look and taste of the product were good. The texture was dense, like extra-firm tofu, and a bit dry but soft and chewable.

Is KFC veggie chicken good? ›

The meatless nuggets aren't terrible. They more or less stack up with other mediocre chicken nuggets out there in the world. There's really nothing that can't be covered up by dipping sauce. Both CGI and plant-based fake meat have gotten better and more believable as time goes on and technology advances.

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